Friends Are Angels

Erev Rosh HaShanah 5764

September 26^th, 2003

Rabbi Gary S. Creditor

 

I have always used this sermon slot to bring home some value, some teaching that can enliven and better our lives. It does not integrate with any wider theme of my yom tov sermons. This year I would like to share with you a piece that I received, actually, Ruby did, and forwarded it to me. While the theme of the story is friendship there is a subtext which is the difference that one person can make. Often we are discouraged from doing something, like writing a letter to the editor, participating in a demonstration, giving tzedakah because we don't think that we make a difference. The following piece clearly teaches that we do. Maybe sometime during this coming year you will have the opportunity to do something and you will remember this story, and step up and fulfill the opportunity before you. The story has no title and no author is recognized. It circulated during last year's National Friendship Week.

 

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey, thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. He just laughed and handed me half the books.

 

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was just glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates that I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"  He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

 

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

 

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse, God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

 

At this juncture the email said that I had two choices, either pass it on to my friends, or delete it and act like it didn't touch my heart. You, this congregation, are my friends and I chose to hold it until tonight and share it with you. And if you are on the BethEl listserv, which I hope you are, you will receive this electronically. Then you will have the choice to delete it, or pass it on, while saving it for you family. I am a "mushpot" and always touched by these stories, because, in my rabbinate I have been blessed with the opportunity to fulfill a mitzvah like this story, maybe not as dramatic, and thus know the truth of this story.

 

This email had a conclusion, which I now share, too. It cites an unnamed quote: Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." Then it cites Eleanor Roosevelt who wrote this piece:

 

Many people will walk in and out of your life,

But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your heard;

To handle others, use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

If someone betrays you once, it is his fault.

If he betrays you twice, it is your fault.

Great minds discuss ideas;

Small minds discuss people.

He, who loses money, loses much;

He, who loses a friend, loses much more;

He, who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature,

But beautiful old people are works of art.

Learn from the mistakes of others.

You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

Friends, you and me...

You brought another friend...

And then there were three.

We started our group...

Our circle of friends...

And like that circle...

There was no beginning or end....

Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is mystery.

Today is a gift.

 

May we embrace the gift.

May we be friends.

May we make a difference in the world.

May we write and be written for a good year, a Shanah Tovah.                          Amen.